O'Driscoll first met the young Mayo kidney patient in 2011 when he arrived into her ward in the hospital with the European Cup.

He described her progress - which has gone from three dialysis visits per week to only every two months - as a "great news story".

"She can't but bring a smile to your face when you see her," he said.

Meanwhile, O'Driscoll, who has two children with actress wife Amy Huberman, played down any talk of a third. "We're both very busy with our work at the moment, so do you know what, never say never but time's not on our side any more," he said.

Michaela is overjoyed to see O’Driscoll with the European Cup in 2011. Photo: Fennells